Editor,
I am rather amused by Vicki Johnson's letter comparing Israel to Communist China published in the Daily Lobo on Thursday.
Let us take a step back from these absurd comparisons. It is never wise to compare the complexities of one region to another very different region. In the same vein, it is futile to compare Palestinians to Nazis, Nazis to Israelis and Americans to fascists, ad nauseam.
The idea that situations are always more complex than they appear on the surface - though seemingly simple - is actually quite profound. Johnson, like me, shows fondness for the Dalai Lama. It is difficult to find an American college student who does not have some sympathy for Tibet.
The Dalai Lama is a peaceful, charming and wise man reminiscent of Gandhi. The horrors of the past week only emphasize the difficulties of the region. China's rapid modernization program - coupled with its desire for stability - resulted in the violent suppression of dissent.
Ironically for Johnson, the Dalai Lama is also rather fond of Israel. He has frequently visited Israel and met with Jewish spiritual leaders - most recently in 2006. This is not surprising. Israel is the result of a downtrodden diaspora movement that was able to achieve statehood.
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Similarly, the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of a diaspora movement that wishes to learn from Israel's example. For such movements, Israel is a success story. Certainly, this story is not free from the flaws of difficulties of a very complex world.
Yet, let us address certain realities. The Dalai Lama repeatedly states that the Tibetan people are not seeking separation but autonomy and respect. Tibetans do not launch rockets at Chinese communities. They are protesting, yes, but the security situation is hardly parallel to Israel-Palestine. Hamas leadership calls for the destruction of Israel and refuses to recognize its right to exist.
The Dalai Lama accepts China as a state, pragmatically realizing that he must negotiate to achieve any sort of autonomy. In 2006, the Dalai Lama said: "I want to take this opportunity, and also my appeal to Hamas, now through violent way it won't solve, it won't achieve what it wants."
Indeed, the more Hamas uses violence to target Israeli civilians - whether by rockets or suicide bombings - the more Israelis will appeal to their government for protection. And because Israel is a democracy, its leadership is accountable to its citizens. More violence will result in a pro-national security Knesset that will be less willing to negotiate a final settlement with the Palestinians.
Furthermore, no country should be expected to sacrifice its survival for the safety of those who wish to destroy it. Palestinian leaders must pursue an outcome for the long-term benefit of their people. This outcome, realistically, will include both a Palestinian state and an Israeli state. It will be achieved through difficult negotiation and willingness by both sides to make sacrifices. It will not be achieved by violently targeting Israeli civilians.
Rachel Fredman
UNM student
